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Union Chapel Ministries

April 18, 2021 • Gregg Parris • Exodus 20:1–17, Deuteronomy 5:15

Exodus 20:1-17

I. The Sabbath is missing.

Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.
Deuteronomy 5:15

II. The Sabbath has meaning.

As we keep or break the Sabbath day, we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.
Abraham Lincoln

A Sabbath Poem
by John David Walt

Breathe

rest in Rest,
holy Leisure---
airtight Time:

Sabbath.

hearing Ears,
Creation slowing---
open Eyes:

Sabbath.

guiltless Feasting,
sacred Rhythms---
Heaven hugging:

Sabbath.

Nothing-doing
Nowhere-going---
Work unknowing:

Sabbath.

Let the Celebration Begin!

May 23, 2021 • Gregg Parris • Isaiah 56:1–2, Psalm 46:10

Isaiah 56:1-2 I. Sabbath and giving are two sides of the same coin. II. Sabbath and hospitality. III. Sabbath and the Local Church. One reason is that most children do exactly what they are taught and they see their parents worshiping many lesser gods. Children learn more from what their parents do than from what we say. Sabbath is a time to transition from human doings to human beings. Eugene Peterson Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know that I. Be still and know that. Be still and know. Be still and. Be still. Be.

Numbering Our Days

May 2, 2021 • Gregg Parris • Psalm 90

Psalm 90 I. Teach us to number our days. The three R’s of Sabbath: Rest, Renewal, Reverence. II. Rest as spiritual food. Sabbath is what balances the active parts of life with the holy parts, the spiritual parts, the most valuable parts.

Our Need for Rest

April 25, 2021 • Gregg Parris • Mark 3:1–6, Matthew 11:29

Mark 3:1-6 The intent of the commandment – rest – is what is important. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 I. Rest from being hurt. Rest gives our souls the time they need to heal. II. Rest from heavy labors. If we are to treat our bodies as temples, we must allow time for physical, mental, and spiritual recovery from the labors of the week. III. Rest from the pace of the world. Fast-paced lives leave less time for activities that build family and friendships. IV. Rest from the speed of change. V. Rest from the job. Resting is even more necessary in uncertain times. It helps us remember that God is in control and that our identity is not dependent on the work we do. VI. Rest from information. We need rest from the deluge of information in order to discern what information is important and how we should respond.